24 September 2009

Celebrations in the UK: Bonfire Night

During our work experience in the United Kingdom (UK), we had the opportunity to enjoy some of the traditional celebrations in the country. One of the most famous is the Bonfire Night that is celebrated with particular euphoria in England. If you don’t have the opportunity to live in the UK, it’s very difficult that you heard about this famous celebration (however, people with a degree in English or British English Translation had heard about at some point in the University).

The British celebrate the Bonfire Night every November 5th and arises because an attempt to murder King James I in 1605. It was a group of Catholics who did not agree with the King’s thoughts and decided to show their anger and resentment locating some gunpowder barrels very carefully in the Parliament’s warehouse. The idea was to blow up the British Parliament with the King inside, but someone who knew the plan raised the alert. Therefore, Guy Fawkes and his gunpowder barrels were captured. Right after, the British authorities decided to punish and torture him until his death.

For this reason, every year on November 5th all the UK celebrates the capture and death of Guy Fawkes and of course, the salvation of King James I. In all the UK's major parks, Guy Fawkes dolls are prepared and then burned on big bonfires. Every park has its fireworksdisplay show that usually lasts about 20 minutes. It’s worth to watch one of them since they are really awesome.

During our experience in the city of Leeds, we noted that the locals really enjoyed that day, considering it very important, although is not a vacation day. In Leeds, the Guy Fawkes dolls and bonfires are prepared very early in the main parks (Roundhay Park and Hyde Park, among others) and some street vendors take advantage of this opportunity to earn some extra pounds selling food, drinks and fireworks. The most successful are undoubtedly beerstands as we all know, the British are particularly fans of this drink, no matter the weekday, weather or time of the day.

During the last celebration of the Bonfire Night on 5th November, some people in Leeds also took the opportunity to set up big amusement parks that all people could enjoy once the fireworks displays finished in the parks... but the oddest thing was that the next day, the amusement parks had completely disappeared and set up in other parts of the city, or simply returned to their warehouses.

It is clear that students are those who most enjoy this celebration, but also is a nice experience for any foreigner living in the United Kingdom and eager to know a little bit more about the interesting British culture. In Leeds, the biggest fireworks display show happens in Roundhay Park. We strongly recommend you to look for the biggest fireworks display show in your city.